Sadaq-e-Eid-ul-fitr has been proclaimed in the year?

The correct answer to this question is 2 Hijri.

The proclamation of Sadaq-e-Fitr occurred in the second year after the Hijrah (the migration of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Madinah). This was a transformative period for the early Muslim community in Madinah. In this same year, the obligation of fasting during the month of Ramadan was also established. Consequently, as the first communal fasts were being observed, the divine instruction for a mandatory charity at the end of the month was introduced to complete the spiritual cycle of the season.

Historical Context of 2 Hijri

The year 2 Hijri was a time of consolidation for the early Muslims. It was the year of the Battle of Badr, the change of the Qibla from Jerusalem to Makkah, and the first official celebration of the two Eids (Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha). Before the proclamation of Sadaq-e-Fitr, the community was still learning the nuances of social welfare and communal responsibility.

When the command for Sadaq-e-Fitr was issued, it was established shortly before the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ ordained it as a "Zakat" (purification) for the person who fasted, serving two primary historical purposes: to purify the fasting person from any indecent act or talk committed during the fast, and to provide food for the needy so they could participate in the joy of Eid.

The Scope of the Mandate

Unlike the annual Zakat on wealth, which is only obligatory for those who meet a specific financial threshold (Nisab) held for a full year, Sadaq-e-Fitr was designed to be more inclusive. Historically, the mandate required that every head of the household pay a specific amount on behalf of themselves and all their dependents—including children, the elderly, and even domestic workers. This ensured that the charity was a truly communal effort, reflecting the egalitarian nature of the early Madinan society.

Evolutionary Impact on Society

The introduction of Sadaq-e-Fitr in 2 Hijri laid the groundwork for a systematic approach to poverty Alleviation. It taught the early Muslim community that religious rituals are inextricably linked to social justice. A fast was not considered "complete" or "raised to the heavens" until the hunger of the neighbor was addressed.

Over the centuries, while the specific commodities used for payment have evolved and many people now pay in currency, the timing and the spirit remain unchanged since 2 Hijri. It remains a mandatory act that must be performed before the Eid prayer begins. This historical decree ensured that for over 1,400 years, no member of the community would be left without a meal on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, cementing 2 Hijri as a pivotal year in the history of global philanthropy.